In the midst of heavy rain and thunder that made my ears ring, Dr. Collin's car cut through the city that looked terrifying at the moment. Doctor Collin seemed to know I was scared after seeing me huddled next to the driver's seat. Dr. Collin's hand reached forward, playing calm rhythmic music at a fairly high volume.
"Doesn't your ex-husband realize the extent of the impact his violence has on his own wife? You even curl up in fear at the sound of thunder and rain." My body relaxed, and I tried to act normal even though both my hands were shaking.
"I don't know." I shook my head gently.
"What do you usually do to relieve these symptoms?" Dr. Collin asked.
"A hand squeeze," I replied briefly, and without waiting for my approval, Dr. Collin quickly grasped both my hands with one of his large hands, while the other remained focused on the steering wheel, as did both of his eyes on the road.
A warm feeling spread throughout my body, and my heart suddenly calmed down even though it had been pounding due to uncontrollable fear.
Dr. Collin drove his car with one hand towards a building with a large statue shaped like a letter that read Hiraeth Hospital. His car entered the premises; as per my request, this is a mental hospital.
"Is Doctor Katerina available?" Doctor Collin asked a receptionist at the hospital.
"Please wait a moment." The receptionist seemed familiar with Dr. Collin; at first, when she saw him enter, she gave him a respectful greeting. While the receptionist made a call to Dr. Katerina's office, Dr. Collin and I waited patiently.
"Please go upstairs," said the receptionist with a smile, still holding the phone receiver and the call not yet finished. I feel that Doctor Collin is highly valued here; is he also a doctor here?
"Does the doctor work here? They seem to respect you so much." The elevator door opened, and Dr. Collin and I stepped into the elevator, heading to Dr. Katerina's office on the second floor.
"No, Katerina is my friend. This hospital belongs to her father, and Katerina has full control over this hospital. I often come here to help with her work, so the employees here might recognize me." Doctor Collin smiled; he was so humble that I couldn't believe Doctor Collin didn't have a partner with his warm demeanor, promising profession, and his handsome physique and face. I don't know what he is pursuing or why he is delaying having a partner.
"Katerina, meet Matilda. I want her to have a room here." Doctor Katerina, with her beautiful and elegant face, widened her eyes.
"You mean you came bringing a patient?" Dr. Collin nodded in response.
"You should have registered at the receptionist earlier. Why bring a patient at this hour in the middle of a heavy rain?" Katerina was confused. However, I am sure from her expression that Katerina has a good personality and is very suitable for Doctor Collin.
"This time, this patient needs your direct attention. You are the owner of Hiraeth; can Matilda stay here without being registered first? However, I request that she be treated like any other patient, provided with food, medicine, and a doctor for her recovery."
"Wait, Collin, I don't understand. What actually happened to her? She looks healthy." Katerina was confused.
"What's outwardly healthy isn't necessarily what's in the mind and heart, right?"
"That's true, but we serve patients who are already out of control," Katerina warned. It seems like I won't be accepted here.
"That's exactly why I'm asking you to ensure she doesn't have any records at this hospital." Katerina was still confused, and I was half resigned to the idea that if I wasn't accepted, I might have to go somewhere else.
Dr. Collin immediately explained everything about me to Katerina. As soon as she heard Dr. Collin's explanation, Katerina looked at me, and I think the bruises visible on several sides of my face were enough to make her believe and also concerned.
"Then I'll prepare a room for you." Katerina finally relented. She called someone and requested a room on the second floor to be cleaned. It didn't take long for the phone to ring again, indicating that the room was ready. Katerina stood up and asked me and Doctor Collin to follow her. A completely white room with a bathroom on the right side and a window on the left side. On both sides of the bed, there are empty nightstands, a wardrobe, and a small sofa as well. Quite comfortable, especially since the room is located at the very end where not many people will pass by and possibly disturb me.
Doctor Collin glanced at me, "Do you know the consequences of staying here? That means your freedom will be limited; you will be treated like other patients. Are you sure you want to stay?" I nodded confidently in response. Katerina occasionally glanced at me and Dr. Collin in turn.
"Give me the address of your previous residence; I will bring your clothes here tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Doctor Collin." I gave him the address of my hiding place since I was handling the divorce papers. It's no longer safe there; I hope Dr. Collin can bring some of my clothes from there.
"Matilda, if you need anything, you can press the button next to your bed. There will be a nurse coming to attend to you. If you need food, don't hesitate to ask for it." Katerina is so kind, I feel like a VIP patient here. No wonder she has such a large mental hospital at her young age with her high tolerance spirit.
"We'll take our leave now; get some rest." I nodded, watching the two young psychologists leave my room. Not leaving immediately, I still heard their conversation.
"Why do you want to help her? Among all your patients who need help, why did you have to help a widow from a wealthy man who might turn against you?" I can still hear Katerina's question clearly, and not only her, but I also feel so curious about why it was so easy to get help from Doctor Collin. Doesn't Dr. Collin think about the consequences of facing a Andrew? The last time Andew burned down an old woman's house just because I was staying there, Andrew could be so cruel to an old woman, let alone to Collin?
"I don't know; I just feel that I have to help her." Doctor Collin answered casually.
"Seriously?" Katerina's voice sounded incredible.
"Is your offer for the psychologist position at Hiraeth still valid?"
"Do you want to work here?" Katerina sounded so excited. It was as if she had been waiting so long for Collin to work at her hospital.
"Yes, you offered it." Doctor Collin's voice sounded so soft and shy. I don't know what is happening out there; their conversation is starting to sound so distant.
"I can't believe you want to work here after my offer was rejected twenty times; is it because of that widow?"